BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts prosecutors say a New Hampshire man racked up $350,000 in fraudulent charges after he romanced women he met through social media and opened credit cards in their names.
Michael Shields Jr., of Atkinson, New Hampshire, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a 45-count indictment charging him with credit card fraud, larceny and witness intimidation.
Prosecutors said 25-year-old Shields asked each victim for her personal information, claiming he planned to add the victim to his credit card accounts. Instead, he is accused of opening credit cards under their names and adding himself as an authorized user.
Most of his alleged victims were women he was dating, but he is also accused of opening cards in the name of a childhood friend.
Shields’ lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
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